Figuring out when to speak up in the workplace can be tricky: maybe you were asked about something controversial and were afraid to speak about it or maybe someone wanted constructive criticism and you chose to keep to yourself instead. Do you know what you would do in situations like these? People usually don’t speak up because of fear of risk and specifically, fear of offending those above them. Employees who are afraid to speak up and communicate ideas at work may miss out on amazing opportunities, because what they don’t realize is that these very ideas could offer valuable knowledge and experience to employers. Whether you’re naturally introverted or outspoken, we can all relate to times we’ve wanted to voice our opinion but have bitten our tongues instead.

In a study by management researchers Kathleen Ryan and Daniel Oestreich, 70 percent of people said they hesitated to speak up about problems at work or suggest possible improvements to their firms because they feared repercussions.

Simply saying “my doors are always open” can no longer be enough to open up the lines of communication in the workplace. In fact, the best environments for speaking up are those where risk-taking is advocated and visibly rewarded.

According to Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson and Penn State professor James Detert, the “up” in the actual saying “speaking up” comes from the term upward voice: communications directed at someone higher in the hierarchy of an organization with the perceived power or authority to take action on the problem or suggestion.

It also turns out that there are two factors that lead people to feel either more or less safe about speaking up: individual differences and contextual factors. Personality differences can include varied levels of extroversion and communication skills. Contextual factors include organizational factors outside of the individual that provide them with cues about how voicing opinions will be received.

While Halloween is seen as a time to play pretend and dress up as fictional characters of our choice, you may find that we actually play dress up more often than you’d think. Every day, we encounter different characters all around us, especially at the workplace and in work-related situations. Thinking about this got us to wondering, what costumes do we see in the workplace? In keeping tradition with our love for lists (check out our previous Behave for Business and Networking Event posts), we’ve created a special edition workplace list in honor of the upcoming Halloween holiday!

Here’s our list of well-known Halloween costumes and who they represent in the workplace (and maybe even in your own office!):

A Ghost – Who is the Ghost in your office? This person is usually the one who blends in with the crowd, stays on the scene like a fly on the wall and is probably the person who’s got all the gossip. While it may be tempting to get lured into the ghost’s office gossip, it’s in your best interest to avoid it, especially considering the consequences for things like this.

A Wizard – Managers, supervisors or executives in your office may all be wizards. How so? These individuals usually take the leadership role in the work environment and have years of insight that can be extremely helpful to other employees, especially those who are still in the beginning stages of their careers. Pay attention to these wise individuals – you can learn a lot from them.

A Witch – A good witch in the office is someone who is on your side and wants the best for you and your career. This person can be a great team member, helping you at every turn. If you encounter a bad witch, though, this person can definitely stir up some commotion. Avoid giving yourself any more headaches or stress at work by keeping the utmost professional attitude at all times, despite what this person may say or do.

The Werewolf – The werewolf is usually a key player in the office for a number of reasons. Maybe it’s because they are strong-willed, loyal and dedicated to their work, or maybe it’s because they are a problem solver- whatever the case may be, they are always willing to step up to the plate when called to duty.

As the fall season and holidays approach us, it’s the time of the year where baked goods are in abundance and work hours reach far and beyond the regular 9 to 5 standard as we meet our end of the year goals. While it is certainly difficult to balance our evolving work priorities while maintaining our physical health, there are several simple changes you can make to your routine that will show instant results.

Photography CHRIS BUCK / CORBIS OUTLINE

According to an article in the New York Times, the first and foremost issue that you may have in finding a balance between work and health comes with sitting at a desk all day. Sitting is one of the most passive things you can do and it has been found that you actually burn more energy by chewing gum or fidgeting than you do sitting still in a chair! So the first change you can make is to simply move around a little more. If your daily work routine involves 8 hours of sleep and one hour of exercise, that still leaves you with 15 hours of potential activity time! Just because you’re stuck working at a desk all day doesn’t mean you can’t get up and move a bit. Why don’t you try taking the stairs instead of the elevator this week or walking over to speak with a colleague instead of sending an e-mail? Other quick and easy ways to move around include standing up to stretch at your desk, taking a brisk walk around your office building/corporate park or performing a number of exercises right at your very own desk.

Other considerations include:

Back pain – After long hours of sitting, it’s possible to experience back and joint pain. Good posture can help to correct this problem. The first way to reduce backache is by changing sitting posture. Keep in mind that the chair you use may also have to do with bad posture, as you should be using a chair that can hold your back in an upright position. Do you also know that distance and height of your computer monitor matters? You should not have to bend or hunch at all to see the screen better, and if you currently do so, adjust it.

What makes a leader in the corporate world? It isn’t holding an executive level role or supervising other employees. It isn’t something you can learn overnight or even with 20 years of work experience. A leader, in the most basic sense, is someone who can guide or inspire others. Many leaders are born with innate leadership skills but some learn how to lead from great role models.

In fact, leaders can be all around us from the bottom to the top of the corporate ladder. We all have the opportunity to express a number of leadership qualities, even if we don’t necessarily see it. Wherever you are in the working world, you may exhibit leadership in your everyday work.

Here are some of the ways you can LEAD without being in a “LEADERSHIP” role:

The most basic way to lead is to do it by example. If you want to lead, you should know that part of being a leader involves how you carry yourself and that others will always be watching what you do. As they say, “actions speak louder than words,” so the things you do and the way you act can be a perfect way to demonstrate your leadership characteristics.

Help others and be a team player. Offer to help in every situation that you possibly can. A good leader is someone who wants to make those around them successful and help them get there. Lending a helping hand will help you establish important relationships and trust amongst your peers, too. After all, gaining trust and establishing dependability are few of the most important factors for leadership.

Have a corporate event coming up? Heard a lot of talk but not sure what to expect? Whether you’re a twenty-something that’s new to the working world or a seasoned veteran out in the field, there are certainly guidelines every working professional needs to follow when attending corporate events. It doesn’t matter if it’s a social gathering, conference or a quarterly meeting, you should always follow these rules to keep the most professional appearance possible. But wait, what exactly are the rules?

Well, we’ve created a list and personified the five tips you do want to remember and the five things you want to avoid doing at your next corporate event!

The things you want to remember:

First Impression Frank – Remember the adage, first impressions count? In the working world, this certainly holds true. When you first meet others in business, how you appear right off the bat is extremely important. First Impression Frank is a perfect example of this. He has learned that if he wants to give off his desired first impression, he’s got to look the part. Want to be seen and respected as the professional that you are?  Look and act the part by giving a good, firm handshake, a friendly smile and wearing appropriate business attire to top it off. When it comes to first impressions, you can choose to either be remembered as the person who’s got it all together or as someone who’s a complete mess. You want to avoid being the latter.

Safer than Sorry Sam – Sure, corporate events are a time to meet people and show off your sparkling personality, but that doesn’t mean you should cross the lines of professionalism. That’s why Safer than Sorry Sam considers this a golden rule! You want to show people the “real” you, but use discretion too. Of course you don’t want to be a wet rag either, but being “safer than sorry” doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! Talk to people and enjoy yourself a bit at your events, but just be wise. If you’re not sure if a joke is appropriate, don’t tell it. If you’re not sure if you should have another margarita, it’s best to hold back. After all, you don’t want to set yourself up for disaster. Use tact with your decisions and be smart about your choices and you’ll avoid any trouble getting in your way.

On Monday morning, I woke up to a text message from a close friend who made me feel as if I were the Rachel Zoe of the business fashion world. She asked, “If you wear a black skirt to an interview, do you have to wear a black blazer with it?” I thought my eyes were fooling me (I’m not necessarily known as the most fashionable of the bunch), so I rubbed them a bit and yes, the words were still there… at 7:30 in the morning on a vacation day. Turns out, my friend was doing some Labor Day shopping (both online and in stores) for a job interview coming up during the week. I guess I have to say I was flattered that she (also my elder) was coming to me for career wardrobe advice. I know this question may seem silly to some of you, but I’m curious to know… is it something you can say you’ve actually considered? I like to tell myself I know every single “do” and “don’t’” for interview and career attire, but the truth is, there are still some things I’ve never even really thought about (this scenario being one of those things).

It’s been said time and time again that carefully constructing the perfect interview outfit is worth the effort because it can be a deciding factor in whether or not you land the job. In fact, appearance isn’t just critical to first impressions during interviewing, it’s also important throughout your entire career! For example, have you ever noticed people dress up a little more at networking events or social events after work hours? That’s because they recognize that what you wear can be what defines you when you first meet new people (similar to that of an interview), so you need to make the best first impression possible. It’s just the plain truth. Once you recognize this (if you haven’t already), you may find that your career could be suffering a closet crisis and now is the time to get help!

Going back to the original story at hand… I thought to myself, well, can you wear a different a blazer and bottom that don’t match? Honestly, many of us out there probably can’t rattle off a list of exact dress-code rules for job interviews and your career other than just knowing the everlasting rule that you need to dress “professional.”

It seems that we all might have our own slightly different perceptions of what’s considered the “right” thing to wear to a job interview. So how can you play it safe? I did some research and I’ve compiled a list of rules that are generally accepted as what to wear and what not to wear to a job interview and throughout your career (including the answer to the suit question!). Take a look below, you may actually find some you didn’t know about.

For women:

1. Bring a basic handbag in neutral or dark color.
2. Wear neutral hose with a skirt! Do not go bare legged in a skirt.
3. Use appropriate accessories such as small classic styled earrings, a thin necklace or strand of pearls, no more than one ring per hand. No tongue, nose or eyebrow pierced jewelry. Avoid noisy or chunky jewelry as it could be considered distracting.
4. Don’t put on too much makeup.
5. Avoid sleeveless tops and dresses as well as skirts that are too short (above the knee).
6. Leave the heavy perfume at home and stick to body splash or small dabs of regular perfume.
7. Make sure to wear close toed heels. Do not show up in open toe shoes, flip flops or sandals!
8. Make sure that the hairstyle you choose holds back any stray hairs from falling on your face. You do not want to play with your hair or have to touch it very much while speaking about yourself.
9. Avoid anything ruffled, frilly or lacy, along with accessories on shirts in the form of extra buttons or bows. You want to be classy, not cute.

For men:

1. Polish or clean your shoes – no scuff marks.

1. Be careful with cologne and aftershave! Most likely, your interview will take place in a small interviewing room with just yourself and the interviewer. You may want to consider using none at all.
2. Remember to trim your facial hair! If worn, it should be well-groomed. Observe men in your industry if you are unsure what’s appropriate.
3. Hair should be clean and well kept. Shorter hair is generally considered to be favorable.
   1. Do not wear too much jewelry. No more than one ring per hand. Wear a watch with a leather or metal band. If you wear cuff links, choose a classic style.

For both:

1. Stick to basic, conservative colors and fabric: Navy, dark gray and black work for suit colors. Button down shirts and blouses should be reserved to basic colors, avoid patterns. Wool and wool blends are generally the best fabrics in all seasons. Avoid acetate / rayon blends. Remember that simple, classic styles will save you money in the long run because they never go out of style.
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When it comes to networking, going out there and meeting other professionals may play a big part, but it’s actually maintaining and keeping track of those contacts that will be most important thing you can do. Whether you are already employed or looking for a job, you never really know when someone in your network may actually prove to be the next MVP on your career path. That’s why it is so important to keep track of your contacts, even when you don’t need anything and aren’t looking for a new job. How can you keep track of these valuable network connections?

A good way to manage your network and keep in contact is to send periodic messages to each individual on a regular basis. To make this easier, you may want to set a goal of sending a few messages to a small number of individuals each week. These messages can be rather simple – maybe just a “hello, how are you?” or a link to an article that reminds you of them. These small notes can go a long way and will make world of a difference in the long run.

Social and business networking sites such as LinkedIn are good ways to find old connections and make new ones, as well. In recent months, LinkedIn has seen a huge increase in membership as more and more professionals jump on the site in hopes of building up their networks. Using LinkedIn can help make the challenge of creating and managing your network much easier, so consider getting a LinkedIn account if you don’t have one already (we have a great introductory post on LinkedIn and all of its features here).

More often than not, individuals lose touch of their networks because they don’t feel a “need” to keep in touch or don’t think they have the time. Later down the line, however, these same individuals may find that they need a network for a number of reasons, but haven’t maintained one. Once you’ve lost communication with your network, it can be a challenge to reconnect. This is one reason it is so important to build it up while you are still employed and keep track of it. But what happens if you’ve already lost touch with your network? Is there any way to regain your relationships? How can you rekindle the connections you established before?

In the workplace, you’re bound to make a few mistakes throughout the course of your career. Unfortunately, these mistakes happen, whether we like it or not. Many individuals may feel nervous about owning up to a mistake or beat themselves up over it, but it’s actually what you DO about your error that is the most important. What’s the best way to handle your next mishap at work? Try these four steps:

1. Admit to the mistake. One of the worst things you can do after you’ve made a mistake is to try and hide it. It may seem like the easiest way out of the situation at the time, but it will only make matters worse. Instead, it’s best to simply own up to your mistake and it will show that you can take some responsibility. When admitting to your mistake, however, avoid making excuses or getting defensive, as both of these will lead to less than favorable responses from your boss. Just own up to your mistake and your employer will be much more understanding and will appreciate your honesty.
2. Have a plan ready to fix the mistake. This may be the most important thing you can do to rectify the problem and it will make a world of a difference on how your boss reacts. Having a potential solution ready to present will show your boss that you understand the severity of the error and are willing to fix it immediately. This is important for your boss because he/she want to know that you understand what went wrong and that it will never happen again. Regardless if your boss chooses to implement your solution or comes up with an entirely new one, he/she will respect that you’ve given it some thought and taken initiative in the first place.
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In honor of Father’s Day and Men’s Health Month during June, this post is dedicated to all of the working dads out there. The modern day father has a vast amount of responsibilities and commitments all vying for his attention. The responsibilities of working and building a career, sharing a household and raising children can all be overwhelming. As these men continue to burn the candle at both ends, this may lead to large amounts of stress. If you’re juggling overtime at work while meeting the changing needs of your family, you’re probably one of these men facing stress on a daily basis.

According to a Stress in America Survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, it was found that 50 percent of men were concerned about their stress level. Men, more often than women, said stress negatively affected various aspects of their lives such as job satisfaction (50 percent of men vs. 40 percent of women) and their overall satisfaction with life (45 percent of men vs. 38 percent of women).

With Father’s Day just around the corner and Men’s Health Month recognized during June, this marks a perfect time of the year to make an effort towards changing how you handle your stress.

Special note: To our male readers, we haven’t forgotten about you! Stay tuned for our special Father’s Day blog post in June.

Charlotte, Miranda, Samantha, and of course… Carrie. It seems that talk about Sex and the City is EVERYWHERE lately… TV commercials, radio interviews, Facebook pages, magazine ads… you name it! With the release of the new Sex and the City movie, I thought this would be a great time to talk about just why we love these characters so much. Each of these women embodies four distinct roles of which every woman in the country can relate to. Behind those roles, they are strong, motivated and ambitious – qualities women across the world have come to admire.

When it comes to their careers, the SATC women have got it all. Whether working as a famous columnist and book author, a manager of an art gallery (formerly), a career-minded lawyer or an independent businesswoman with a career in public relations, three of the four main SATC characters has never failed to show prowess when it comes to workplace aspirations (for the sake of focusing on the careers in the workplace, we’re excluding Charlotte on this one because she chose motherhood as a full-time job!). I mean, after all, how do you expect any of these women to buy a pair of extravagant Christian Louboutin shoes without some success on the job?!

Today, more women are graduating from college than men. Women have come a long way as successful professionals and an increasing number continue to make a greater impact on various industries and professions. According to the Department of Labor, women are expected to comprise 46.5 percent of the estimated 164.2 million persons of the labor force in 2016.

So, as the number of women in the workplace continues to grow, it’s more important now than ever to make sure you’re comfortable being a strong woman if you want to succeed and move up in ranks. If your favorite Sex and the City characters could give you advice on how to feel empowered in the workplace, what do you think they’d say?